In the final hours of the spring legislative session the Illinois Senate passed a budget package for FY15 that State Senator Karen McConnaughay says relies on revenue that does not exist.
“Every spring we watch the most important issue in the state, the budget, be held until the last minute,” said McConnaugnay. “And every year we see a budget passed that is full of pet projects, new programs, and fails to address the fundamental issues with Illinois’ economy.”
McConnaughay notes that the FY15 budget passed today spends $35.4 billion in taxpayer money but redirects funds from important programs. “Illinois is a transportation hub for the nation. Sadly, this year’s budget again diverts money from the Road Fund that should rightly go to preserving and strengthening one of the state’s greatest assets.
“At the end of the day we’re watching a party in the super-majority play games with the people of this state’s hard earned dollars, and that is really unfortunate,” said McConnaughay. “A budget was passed today, but the budget debate is just beginning. This debate will continue during the November lame-duck session after the general election when I can almost guarantee you will see a push to make the tax hike permanent.”